UTEP Miners Football

UTEP versus BYU New Mexico Bowl Las Vegas betting odds are up for college football picks and predictions. The bookmaker’s point spread is Brigham Young minus 11.5 with a total of 50.5. Here is the sports handicappers preview.

Texas El Paso has an average running game, getting 4.6 yards per rush to teams that normally allow 4.6. They are weak in the passing game getting 6.7 passing yards per attempt to defenses that permit 7.7, and they get 5.6 yards per play to 6.0.

Defensively, they allow a generous 4.9 to teams normally getting just 3.9, but 6.6 yards per pass to 7.0 and 5.7 yards per play teams that usually get 5.5.

BYU rushes for 4.2 yards per play to defenses that allow an average of 4.4. They also get a pedestrian 5.8 passing yards per attempt to 7.2 and just 4.9 yards per play to teams that normally allow 5.6.

Defensively, the Cougars permit 4.1 yards per rush versus squads that earn 4.5 and they allow a stout 6.4 yards per pass to 7.4, holding teams to .6 yards per play below what they normally get.

Spread betting trends (all records are against the spread): UTEP is 8-21 off spread win. BYU is 7-0 after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.

Over/under trends: The Miners have gone over seven straight on grass.

Top expert pick on this game: It looks like GodsTips will have a side selection on virtually every bowl game this season thanks to the increase in quality and quantity of key indicators.

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At sunset, the mountains glow anywhere from deep purple to bright orange—watermelon colors.  The word “sandia” is Spanish for watermelon.  The Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque, New Mexico provide a beautiful backdrop for this year’s New Mexico Bowl.

Featuring Brigham Young University and the University of Texas-El Paso, the city of Albuquerque hosts the game, and half of New Mexico is watching.

Actions surrounding the game are creating awareness and educating people about what it takes to go green in the future.  Compostable key cards, for example, are going to be used in the team hotels (Sheraton and Marriott). A Green Tent will be on the grounds for recycling old batteries, cell phones and T-shirts at the pre-game Fan Fest.  ESPN is sponsoring many of the activities in the mountain town.

Albuquerque is about a four-hour drive from El Paso.  I’m sure many students and fans will use the weekend as a sort of road trip vacation.

The El Paso Times reported 2,000 of 10,000 bowl seats had been sold to UTEP fans.  UTEP officials were happy with the fan count.

BYU is from the Mountain West Conference and UTEP (6-6, 3-5) is from Conference USA.  The Cougars finished tied for third with Air Force and San Diego State in their conference. 

Behind SMU, Tulsa and Houston, the Miners finished fourth in their division.

The game reunites former Western Athletic Conference rivals.  Since their WAC days in 1998, against one another, they haven’t played a football game.

BYU defeated UTEP, 34-14, in their last meeting.  UTEP’s program is sort of reeling.  They could be motivated by revenge, however, and if they are, then they’ll play a little harder than normal.

“We’re excited about renewing our long-standing rivalry with BYU,” UTEP coach Mike Price said.  The teams are evenly matched in the shadows of the Sandias.

Based in Provo, Utah, BYU knows something about mountains.  They’ve climbed a lot of them in some of the most storied games in college football history. 

Former coach LaVell Edwards and quarterbacks Jim McMahon and Steve Young are mountainous BYU legends.  I wonder if they’ll be in Albuquerque.

The New Mexico Bowl is still young, but it’s big fun.  It’s one of six bowl games owned and operated by ESPN and is characteristically the bowl season’s inaugural game, held the Saturday before Christmas. The game usually pits a MWC team against a squad from the WAC.  In the coming years, the Pac-12 Conference will provide an opponent for a MWC team in the New Mexico Bowl.

The University of New Mexico appeared in the first two and went 1-1.  San Jose State, Nevada, Colorado State, Fresno State (2) and Wyoming have appeared in the game. 

Announcing and analyzing this year’s contest, Bob Wischusen and Brian Griese will be joined by attractive sideline reporter, Jenn Brown.  Dave Lamont, J.C. Pearson and Shannon Spake were assigned by ESPN Radio.

Kickoff is at 2 p.m. EST from University Stadium at the University of New Mexico on Dec. 18.    

The Cougars (6-6, 5-3 MWC) won five of their final seven games to get bowl eligible.  Having played in 28 bowl games, BYU has a storied bowl history.   This will be their 29th bowl appearance but the first in Albuquerque. They won the national championship in 1984. 

Cougars coach Bronco Mendenhall has won two MWC championships.  He’s led his team to the Las Vegas Bowl every year since he was hired in 2005.  In 2009, they were BCS No. 14 after finishing the season 11-2.

His players will be in the middle of a battle with semester final examinations this week.

In college football’s run offense exams, BYU is better than average—ranked No. 46 of 120 teams.  UTEP is No. 69, but they average more yards per carry than BYU—4.6 versus 4.2.

BYU had 78 more total carries than UTEP.  Only about 170 yards separate the teams in total yards rushing—1,966 to 1,794—advantage BYU.  It suggests the Miners break off big chunks of yards in the run game.  They strike quickly. Neither team’s run defense, however, can afford to relax in this game. 

BYU gives up 151 yards rushing per game.  UTEP, ranked No. 90 in this category, allows 181.  Running the ball will be a big key. BYU is known for stellar quarterbacks and their own brand of aerial shows.  They won the national championship with Robbie Bosco calling the snaps. 

Jim McMahon won the Davey O’Brien Award in 1981 and so did Steve Young in 1983.  Ty Detmer won it and the Heisman Trophy in 1990.  BYU’s Luke Staley won the Doak Walker for the nation’s best running back (2001).

UTEP has never won a college football national championship.  They have yet to have a Heisman-winning player, or winner of the Davey O’Brien or the Doak Walker. 

The Miners are less known for passing offense, but they ranked No. 60—right in the middle of the pack.  BYU had one of its down years at the quarterback position.  They finished the season at No. 86 in pass offense. 

Believe it or not, BYU’s strongest asset is its pass defense mechanism.  Tied with South Florida, they’re ranked No. 21 in the FBS, while UTEP is No. 73 in pass defense. 

In the New Mexico Bowl, neither defense seems able to get enough consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback.  But, coming into this game, BYU intercepted 13 passes and UTEP snatched nine.Interceptions are supposed to be grabbed at their highest point.

Prediction: UTEP averages 26 points per game, BYU 24.  This game is too close to call, but I’m going to call it.  It should be an exciting game and bring in the bowl season with a bang.

The Miners are reeling, having lost five of their last six games.  They will be playing in their first bowl game since 2005.  BYU leads the all-time series, 28-7-1.

Either Fresno State or Nevada was expected to represent the WAC in this year’s New Mexico Bowl.  Instead, UTEP will be the first team outside of the MWC and WAC to appear in the game. 

Playing solid football only in streaks, both defenses have been suspect for most of the season.  I don’t see it being corrected before Saturday.   

It could, though, be a low-scoring game.  The offenses aren’t exactly prolific.  But, BYU will find a way to do it in the passing game and win it, 32-26.

The college football bowl season gets started with the New Mexico bowl in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The New Mexico Bowl will feature the BYU Cougars and the University of Texas-El Paso Miners. The latest college football odds posted by BetMania for this game has the Cougars listed as 12-point favorites over the Miners.

College football is a game of inches and the war is fought in the trenches. The Miners have an offensive line that can win that war.

On the offensive line the Miners started the year with six fifth-year seniors starting and another senior as one of the top backups.

Then injuries inundated the line all season long and they started eight different combination's on the line throughout the season. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the Miners worked with different combination's and provided experience to every player on the depth chart.

Now with just about a month to prepare the Miners will be rested and ready to go on the front line with the exception of one player. Will Ozolinsky broke his leg during the season and will not be available for this game.

In college bowl games sometimes the key to predicting the winner is to figure out what team is excited about the selection.  UTEP is excited to play in this bowl game and returns to bowl action for the first time since 2005. It’s close enough to home to allow the fan base to travel to the game and just playing in a bowl is good enough for the Miners.

The Cougars do not feel the same way.

The Cougars had higher hopes for a better season and a 6-6 record, capped off by a loss to their rival Utah, and does not get any better with a trip to New Mexico. The fans always travel well to support the Cougars, but they have very little reason to be excited about this game and have nagging injuries that could hamper them.

BYU freshman quarterback Jake Heaps suffered a sore non-throwing shoulder and bruised ribs. Heaps will play in this game, but will be nowhere near 100 percent.

The Miners are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games against the Mountain West Conference. The Cougars are 2-5 ATS in their last seven non-conference games, 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a loss and 1-4 ATS in their last five games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.

Quarterback Trevor Vittatoe had his struggles but still has decent numbers on the season throwing for 2,511 yards and 19 TD passes. The offensive line will provide protection, but the Miners should flourish on special teams.

Marlon McClure averages 14 yards per punt return, 29.8 yards on kickoffs and kicker Dakota Warren can nail deep field goals to keep this game close.

On paper this game may not look exciting, but teams will rise to the occasion during bowl season.

UTEP +12

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at mregaw@gmail.com.

Other College Bowl Game Articles:

New Mexico Bowl: Miners to Challenge Cougars

Sugar Bowl: Five Reason the Hogs can beat the Buckeyes

New Orleans Bowl: Bobcats Can Run Against Trojans

Paydirt Pete - UTEP

Paydirt Pete may not look like much. He may be several decades behind the gold-mining curve.  But I’ll be darned if he ain’t the best dang mascot in the Union!

 

Meet Paydirt Pete

Paydirt Pete hails from the University of Texas, El Paso, where he’s served as the school’s head prospector since 1974.  He’s been through a lot of changes in that span — quitting smoking, trying out different hats, etc. — but he’s never lost his insatiable love of gold and mining.

Pete’s Experience

Two words: border relations. Paydirt Pete is a diplomat, as the man can practically see Mexico from his house. Juarez is just around the corner, and Pete knows the town like the back of his soot-covered hands. This diplomatic experience, coupled with his high-profile event hosting skills (Pete helms the Sun Bowl festivities every year) make for a savvy veteran of a mascot that commands respect.

Pete’s Leadership Abilities

To paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt: Speak softly, and carry a pickaxe. Pete does both of these things. He might not even speak at all! Since he follows Roosevelt’s leadership style, doesn’t it follow that he’s a great leader like Teddy? Of course it does!

What Distinguishes Paydirt Pete From the Rest?

Determination. Pete’s been mining the hills of El Paso for decades, and has yet to find any gold. But does he stop trying? Nope. He just keeps on going, year after year. That’s the kind of resilience that other mascots dream of — but only Pete’s got it.

Pete’s Campaign Promises

If elected, Pete promises gold for everybody. And if that fails, he’ll throw a kickin’ party in Juarez for all his new friends. He’ll even upgrade his 10-gallon hat to 11 gallons if it helps.

In Summary

Paydirt Pete is the gold standard of mascots. Take that to the bank.

Northern Iowa’s Ali Farokhmanes hit the shot that stunned Kansas.

In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy told her little dog: “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

Well, Dorothy, Kansas isn’t in the NCAA tournament any more either after being kayoed  by Northern Iowa in a Cinderellian effort.  The top-seeded Jayhawks were knocked out by ninth-seeded NIU in one of the bigger surprises in NCAA history.

The Panthers became the first team to  beat a No. 1 seed in the second round since UAB and Alabama did it to Kentucky and Stanford, respectively, in 2004.

The Kansas loss ranks as one of the top upsets in the history of the tournament, but there have been many. Here are the top 10, in chronological order:

10 Great NCAA Upsets

1944:  Utah 42, Dartmouth 40 (OT) — Utah originally turned down an invitation to the NCAA tournament, but was given a second chance after losing in the NIT, and after Arkansas pulled out of the tourney after two players were injured in an automobile accident.  In those days there were no seedings and no 64-team field, just two, four-team regionals and a title

game at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The Utes, shown left, were the youngest NCAA champion in history; the team’s average age was 18 years, six months. And in the midst of World War II, the team had two Japanese-American players, one on release from an internment camp. The Utes defeated Eastern champion and heavily favored Dartmouth in the championship game on a set shot by forward Herb Wilkinson in the first overtime championship game in NCAA history.  Utah became known as the Whiz Kids, Zoot Utes, and the Live Five from the Jive Drive.

1956: Canisius 79, North Carolina State 78 (4OT) — The Wolfpack was ranked second in the nation when they faced Canisius in the first round. The Golden Griffins won in four overtimes. The two teams set a record for longest NCAA Tournament game that’s been once tied (1961), but never broken. The San Francisco Dons, led by Bill Russell, won the NCAA title that year.

1966: Texas Western 72, Kentucky 65 — Texas Western (now the University of Texas at El Paso) and its all-black starting five was a heavy underdog to Kentucky’s all white starting five, including Pat Riley, and openly racist coach, Adolph Rupp. Yet the Miners managed the win. Rupp “carried the memory of that game to his grave,” wrote his biographer, Russell Rice.

1979: Penn 72, North Carolina 71 — The Quakers beat top-rated UNC in the East Regionals and later St. John’s in the Eastern regional finals, and became what remains the last Ivy League team to make the Final Four.  Penn would be the only team to beat four higher seeded opponents to reach the Final Four until the feat was matched in 1986 by LSU and again in 2006 by George Mason. Penn was crushed in the national semis by Magic Johnson and Michigan State, which went on to beat Larry Bird’s Indiana State team for the championship.

1983: NC State 54, Houston 52 — NC State had lost 10 game

s during the regular season and wasn’t expected to be in the title match. The Cougars and their “Phi  Slamma Jamma” crew of Akeem (later Hakeem) “The Dream” Olajuwon and Clyde “The Glide” Drexler, meanwhile, were the nation’s top-ranked team and on a 25-game winning streak. But when Lorenzo Charles slammed home an errant shot as time expired, the Wolfpack had an improbable win and coach Jim Valvano, right, went “looking for someone to hug.”

1985: Villanova 66, Georgetown 64 — Many thought the eighth-seeded Wildcats didn’t belong on the same court with Patrick Ewing and the defending champion Hoyas. Georgetown had already beaten Villanova twice during the regular season. But the Wildcats  shot a record 78.6 percent from the field, missed only one shot in the entire second half, and became the lowest-seeded team ever to win the national championship.

1991: Richmond 73, Syracuse 69 — Richmond became the first No. 15 to beat a two seed (16 seeds have never beaten a one seed in 104 tries in the tournament.) The win inspired the immortal headline: Orangemen Bitten by Spiders. Other 15-2 shockers include Santa Clara over Arizona in 1991 and Coppin State over South Carolina in 1997.

1998: Valparaiso 70, Mississippi 69 — One of the most famous last-second shots in basketball history and the poster child for buzzer beaters was the three pointer by Bryce Drew, left, that helped 13-seed Valparaiso beat Ole Miss in a stunner.
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2006: George Mason 86, Connecticut (OT) — A suburban commuter school from Fairfax, Va., that was a dicey choice to make the NCAA tournament as an at-large team, the 11th seeded Patriots upset No. 1 seed UConn and reached the Final Four. The Patriots were only the second double-digit seed to make the Final Four, matching LSU’s run, also as an 11th seed, in 1986. They were the first true outsider to crash the quartet since Penn and Indiana State both got there in 1979.

2010: Northern Ohio 67, Kansas 65 — It’s rare that the top seeded team in the tournament goes out this early. But NIU guard Ali Farokhmanes, the answer to future trivia question, hit a three-pointer with 34 seconds left to ultimately doom Kansas.

Yes Dorothy, lions and tigers and bears….and Panthers too.

Related Blog: Top 10 Championship Games in Final Four History

Tulsa (-8.5) 29 TEXAS EL PASO 22

Strong Opinion UNDER (59 1/2)
UTEP quarterback Trevor Vittatoe is starting to show the impressive form that he played with his first two years as a starter, as the Miners have averaged 8.3 yards per pass play their last two games (against teams that would allow 7.1 yppp to an average quarterback). Vittatoe started the season playing horribly and is still averaging just 5.6 yppp for the season (against teams that would allow 6.4 yppp).

Vittatoe will have to be at his best tonight to stay close to a solid Tulsa team that has been 0.4 yards per play better than average in 5 games against Division 1A opponents (4.7 yppl allowed to teams that would combine to average 5.1 yppl against an average team). UTEP is 0.2 yppl worse than average offensively but they're improving and should do a decent job moving the ball in this game.

The Miners' defense has been a problem, as that unit has allowed 6.3 yppl to teams that would combine to average 5.3 yppl against an average team, but Tulsa isn't as explosive offensively as they've been in recent years. In fact, Tulsa is just average offensively with 5.4 yppl in 5 games against Division 1A foes that would combine to allow 5.5 yppl to an average team. My math model comes up with a fair line of Tulsa by 9 1/2 points but the Hurricanes apply to a very negative 78-187-2 ATS letdown situation that has a 55% chance of covering at a fair line and UTEP has an overall 53.6% chance of getting the money at +8 1/2 points.

The value on this game appears to be on the Under, as Tulsa is not the explosive offensive team that the public perceives them to be, as the Hurricanes are actually better defensively than they are on offense. In fact, Tulsa's 5 games against Division 1A opponents have resulted in an average of just 47 points, which is lower than the national average of 49.2 points per game and 4.2 points lower than the 51.2 points that is the average total points of their opponents this season.

UTEP's average total points is 59.3 points, but the Miners' opponents' average total points is 54.3 points, so their games have only been 5 points higher scoring than what an average team would yield against the same schedule. That compensated points model projects just 50 total points in this game (Tulsa -4.2, UTEP +5.0, national average 49.2 = 50.0) and a more accurate model using projected stats comes up with 50.5 total points in this game. The only teams that Tulsa's good defense has allowed more than 13 points to are Oklahoma and Boise State and UTEP's sub-par attack obviously isn't in that company. UTEP, meanwhile, has scored more than 20 points only against bad defensive teams New Mexico State and Houston. I just don't see UTEP getting much more than 21 points in this game, which would mean that Tulsa's mediocre attack would have to score close to 40 points for this game to go Over.

The 59 1/2 point listed total is more about reputation than reality. Based on the historical performance of my model, a 9 point difference in a total from my prediction and the actual line is a 56% play. However, if UTEP quarterback Vittatoe's last two games are an indication that he's back to being his old self then the predicted total would be higher. In fact, if Vittatoe were just as good as he was last season (0.7 yards per pass play better than average rather than 1.0 yppp worse than average) then I would get a predicted total of 54 1/2 points, which is still considerably lower than the 59 1/2 point line.

I'll consider the Under a Strong Opinion at 58 points or higher.

Read more on my website www.drbobsports.com

I have 6 NCAA Best Bets and 6 NCAA Strong Opinions this week, and 1 NFL Best Bet and 1 NFL Strong Opinion!

Read an article about me in the Wall Street Journal

This summer, the National Football Post is breaking down every team in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) to identify players who might warrant interest from NFL teams in the 2010 draft.

The UTEP Miners finished the 2008 season with a 5-7 record and will be forced to lean heavily on their offense this year if they hope to compete for a Conference USA title.

Offense

Jeff Moturi: No. 6, WR, 6'0", 190

Moturi is a thin wideout who showcases a good burst off the line and has the ability to consistently get down the field. He displays natural explosion out of his breaks and exhibits the straight-line speed to run away from defenders underneath.

He also does a nice job changing gears in the pass game and gets back up to full speed quickly. Moturi locates the ball well out of his routes and consistently extends his arms and snatches the ball away from his frame.

He demonstrates some wiggle after the catch and has the short-area quickness to make a defender miss as he accelerates toward daylight.

However, he lacks body control as a route runner and struggles changing directions at full speed. Has a tendency to round off his routes down the field and gets really sloppy out of his breaks.

Impression: Moturi isn’t a real natural route runner and struggles getting out of his breaks sharply. However, he displays some natural short-area quickness and has the burst to threaten corners down the field. Looks like a developmental guy at the next level.

Mike Aguayo: No. 71, OT, 6'4", 300

An intriguing athlete who possesses a quick first step out of his stance and has the footwork to consistently reach the edge. Ahuayo does a nice job snapping off a compact punch on the outside and possesses the coordination to quickly recoil and set again.

He showcases impressive lateral mobility in pass protection and does a nice job mirroring defenders and redirecting in space.

However, he has as a tendency to get too high at times and is consistently handled at the point of attack. Aguayo struggles maintaining his balance against the bull-rush and can be driven backward into his quarterback’s lap.

He doesn’t play with natural leverage and struggles dropping his pad level on contact and anchoring inside. He isn’t much of an in-line run blocker and lacks the power to create movement off the ball.

Yet he’s very efficient when asked to reach-block and does a great job getting his feet around defenders and sealing them from the play.

Impression: I like his footwork and athletic ability and think his best shot will come as a guard in a zone-blocking scheme, but he needs to continue to get stronger.

Cameron Raschke: No. 78, OG, 6'4", 320

Raschke gets out of his stance quickly and showcases good fluidity on his initial first step in pass protection. He possesses smooth lateral footwork and has the quickness to cut off opposing defenders on either side of him.

However, he has a tendency to get too wide with his base and struggles redirecting in space. He isn’t real sharp or sudden when asked to change directions, and can be sidestepped on the counter move.

He plays with good bend and does a nice job keeping his base down and anchoring at the point of attack. But he isn’t much of a Velcro player and doesn’t consistently stay on blocks.

He isn’t real explosive out of his stance in the run game and has a tendency to get high on contact. Also, Radchke isn’t as powerful as his frame would indicate and doesn’t create consistent movement as an in-line run blocker.

He demonstrates impressive straight-line burst when asked to reach targets at the second level, but lacks ideal body control and struggles cutting a moving target out of the play,

Impression: He possesses a nice-sized frame with some natural quickness in pass protection, but struggles redirecting and isn’t a guy who can consistently stay on blocks.

Defense

Note: The Miners will get a huge boost in the secondary this year with the return of strong safety Braxton Amy. Amy suffered a torn ACL during the spring of 2008 and was forced to miss the season. He led UTEP in tackles per game in ‘07 and is a guy to keep an eye on in 2009.

Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith: No. 23, SS, 6'2", 208

Smith lacks instincts in the pass game, struggles anticipating throws and rarely gets good jumps on the ball. He has a tendency to take bad angles in pursuit and will run himself out of plays.

Smith possesses a decent initial burst for his size and uses his long strides to track the football down the field. However, he lacks the footwork to quickly make up for a false step and struggles redirecting out of his breaks.

He uses his length well to keep himself clean at the line of scrimmage and does a nice job shedding blocks inside. He possesses a physical dimension to his game, but has a tendency to take on blocks when he doesn’t need to and simply lacks a real instinctive feel to his game.

Impression: A good size/speed athlete for the position, but makes too many questionable decisions to be trusted as an NFL safety.

Cornelius Brown: No. 47, CB, 5-11, 200

Brown is a well-built corner who showcases natural bend in his stance and does a nice job being patient in his drop. He exhibits good straight-line speed and uses his body well to box receivers away from the play when tracking the football.

However, he lacks fluidity and is slow to flip his hips when forced to turn and run down the field. Browns consistently allows receivers to separate behind him and struggles transitioning out of his back-pedal.

He has a tendency to get overextended in press coverage and doesn’t consistently get a good jam off the line. Brown isn’t really comfortable playing with his back to the play and lacks the awareness to consistently find the football.

He doesn’t exhibit a great feel in zone coverage, either, and allows opposing receivers to consistency find soft spots behind him.

Impression: Possesses decent size/speed numbers, but lacks the fluidity, instincts and footwork needed to be effective in man-coverage at the next level.

Be sure to check out the rest of my breakdowns at Nationalfootballpost.com.

When I was 10 years old, I enrolled at Clement Middle School in Redlands, CA. This was a pretty sweet deal for me, because I had grown up with the same kids in elementary school.

My first week of school, I met one of my future best friends: Josh Scott. There was nothing too unusual about him then, except for the fact that he was over 6’0” as a sixth grader.

In our middle school years, I watched my lanky frame grow at a normal rate while Josh’s grew amazingly quickly. By the time we entered high school, he was already 6’3”.

Scott burst onto the Redlands East Valley High School freshman football team as one of the biggest players out there. By the time summer was over, he was also one of the fastest and strongest. He made a huge impact during the season, so it was no surprise when coach Kurt Bruich decided to let him get a few reps on the varsity squad his sophomore year.

By the time 10th grade started, Josh was more than ready for football. He played primarily on the JV squad but also received playing time in several Firday night games. He was considered an outside linebacker-defensive end hybrid. He could rush the passer while on his hands and knees or on his feet or could drop back into coverage.

He ended his sophomore year with four tackles and one fumble recovery. The stats, however, were not the important factor. He received valuable playing time that would help set him up for his remaining two seasons at Redlands East Valley.

Josh came prepared for his junior year, lining up opposite Andre Ferguson, a prospect that would eventually commit to the University of Idaho. The two were similar in their style of play, and both were considered dominant at their position.

Scott clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.6 seconds his junior year and was benching over 300 pounds with ease. He was easily one of our top athletes and had become a physical freak of nature: Standing 6’5” and weighing 210 pounds, he looked more like a receiver than a linebacker.

He was all muscle and could outmatch nearly any offensive lineman he came into contact with. His junior season ended with 62 tackles (32 solo) and eight sacks.

Josh’s stock skyrocketed the summer between his junior and senior year. Redlands East Valley was poised to be one of the state's top teams, and my man was easily one of the most athletic and versatile players on the defense.

At a local combine, Scott ran a high 4.5 in the 40 and benched 185 pounds 19 times. UCLA recruited him as a tight end, not a defensive end, even though he had never lined up in the position before. Boise State, Colorado State, Idaho State and UTEP also showed interest in him.

When the 2008 season began, Josh was the premier linebacker for our team. He assumed his old role of OLB/DE but played off the line more and more frequently. The team, led by a dominant run game and bone crushing defense, went deep into the playoffs.

In a very memorable game against Norco High School, Scott intercepted the ball twice, returning the first to the one yard line and the second for a touchdown. He also made nine tackles that game. It was the best game of his high school career, and I’m sure it opened the eyes of many recruiters.

Though the REV Wildcats’ season ended a game later against Corona Santiago, the '08 iteration was considered the best team in school history. Josh finished the season with 80 tackles, 38 of them solo, and three sacks.

On Feb. 6, 2008, Josh signed his Letter of Intent to play football at the University of Texas-El Paso, where he stayed in his same position of combo OLB-DE. He started the UTEP workout regiment while enrolled in high school so he would have an easier time adjusting to the workouts.

He redshirted his first season as a Miner but is expected to contribute in the upcoming season as a full-time outside linebacker. Because of the size of typical college offensive linemen, the coaching staff has asked Scott to try and add more weight to his 220-pound frame so that he can withstand the constant wear and tear of the trenches.

Scott has all of the tools to become an amazing college athlete, whether it's as a defensive end, linebacker, or tight end. I believe that he can excel at anything he puts his mind to. As long as Josh remains consistent, smart, and committed, I see no reason why he won’t succeed.

SEC and Georgia fans, I apologize.  As much as I thought Knowshon Moreno turned heads and made me hoot and holler, he did not have the most fascinating play of the weekend despite hurdling a defender in the middle of a run.

Instead, that award goes to a pair of students who were gracefully attending the UTEP/Texas matchup on Saturday night.

It seems like every year there is something you see on a national sporting event that has really nothing to do with what is going on in the field of play but rather in the stands that just seems like it is out of place. 

We all remember the infamous "West F****** Virginia" shirts that have been made famous as well as multiple College Gameday signs that have found their way to TV screens across America.

It is my pleasure to trump all we have seen in the past however and look into something that fortunately I was not the only person to catch while watching Texas take on UTEP on Saturday night. 

Coming out of a break, ESPN decided to show part of the scenic Sun Bowl Stadium where a mountain overlooks part of the field, allowing many a chance to see the game without purchasing a ticket.

With that in mind go with me now to the following...

Think back to college, perhaps you were there long ago or perhaps you're there currently; heck, maybe you never went and have nothing to link this thought to. 

Think of being away from home and calling your mom and dad to tell them that you met a new girl on campus and will be bringing them to the football contest on that Saturday night. 

Or, for fun, think of being the girl and telling your parents to watch the game this weekend because your new guy friend is going to bring you to it.

Whichever the case, with mom and dad, brother and sister, aunt and uncle, grandma and grandpa, high school teacher and next door neighbor (okay you get the point) watching, go out now and do what you know best...

That's right.  Watch again, closely.  Yes, they are making out and as Bob Davie points out, "They look like they're having a great time!"  I couldn't have put it any better Bob, as much as I hated your play-calling, your analysis of that particular "play" was right on the money.

Just think, somewhere out there that young lady's father is very proud of his daughter.  He gets to go hang out with his buddies some night this week and brag about his little daughter being on national TV this weekend.

My goodness, these are the future leaders of the world we live in?  Hopefully they learn from their mistakes and remember a blanket next time.

(I knew I wasn't the only person who caught this when it happened, props to EDSBS, Deadspin, and SportsCrack for all having a crafty eye as well on Saturday night).